Cylindroid tug



W. WHIPPLE Oct. 20, 1953 CYLINDROID TUG 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May l5, 1952 INVENTOR W. WHIPPLE CYLINDROID TUG 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 15, 1952 BY (VMTTORNEY Oct. 20, 1953 w. wHlPPLE 2,655,890

CYLINDROID TUG 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ggz- Filed May 15, 1952 2%;'7 ff A ORNEY W. WHIPPLE Oct. 20, 1953 CYLINDROID TUG 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 15, 1952 INVENTOR Zlz'aw BY ATTORNEY Ill." l M Wy/flying...-

Patented Oct. 20, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CYLENDROID TUG William Whipple, Atlanta, Ga.

Application May 15, 1952, Serial No. 287,871

14 Claims. 1

This invention relates to marine towing instrumentalities, and more particularly to a new and useful cylindroid tug contemplated to be employed in the movement of very large bodies or masses long distances in open water.

Heretofore, it has been customary to perform towing functions througlf the agency of tugs which are small, but exceedingly powerful boats especially designed and engineered for their intended purpose, said devices having one or more screws which drive the tug through the water. There are, however, practical limitations upon the weight and bulk of objects which may thus be transported by one or more of these conventional towing craft. Very large towed objects must be moved at slow speeds in order to obtain reasonable economy, whereas tugs, in order to develop full power must propel water to the rear at a high velocity. The eiciency of a screw propelling device falls 01T very markedly when the velocity of water ejected by the screw is more than four or ve times the speed of propulsion through the water. However, for structural and economic reasons the use of screws of a size suilicient to remain within such a ratio for seagoing tugs is impracticable. Therefore, the towing of large bodies over long distances is unduly costly and mechanically inefficient.

It is further apparent that certain structures which could be designed and constructed, as for example container devices calculated to be used in the movement of very large quantities of material for fluids; would be useless, because up until now there has been no known means of moving such cargo carriers through the water at reasonable cost.

An object of my invention is to provide a tug suiciently powerful to move very large bodies through open water.

Another object is to provide a cylindroid tug of unique design.

Another object is to provide economy of operation in such a device.

Another object is to provide novel means of locomotion in a cylindroid tug.

A still further object is to provide a towing connection assembly for such a tug.

Another object is to make possible maximum hydraulic efficiency in a tug of the instant type.

Another object is to provide an integral and self-contained unit capable of achieving the desired results.

Another object is to provide safety factors in a cylindroid tug.

These and other objects made apparent during the further progress of this specification are achieved by means of the instant invention, a full and complete understanding of which is facilitated by reference to the drawings herein, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top view in perspective, of the tug and its auxiliary.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the device of Fig. 1, taken substantially in longitudinal vertical cross-section;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the structure of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to that Fig. 4 taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 4, taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the rear of the instant tug;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the rear partition of the tug, showing the passage-way permitting access to the motor compartment thereof.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the stern of subject tug, showing a modification in the nature of a supplemental propeller ring;

Fig. l0 is a rear view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a view taken partially in vertical cross-section and showing the motor unit and compartment of the tug;

Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 11, taken along the line VI2---I2 thereof, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 13 is a view taken along the line I3-I3 of Fig. 12, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged composite vertical crosssectional view showing the towing assembly at the front of the tug; and

Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary top view in perspective, of the extreme front of said assembly.

Referring now to the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the instant tug is formed with a main barrel-like section I0, associated with which is a somewhat flared mouth portion II, and to the rear is an inner shell I2 of radius less than that of forward section I0. Said barrel is divided by a plurality of longitudinal partitions, into spiral passages for water, said partitions I3, being of generally helicoidal shape, developed around a central axis, and attached to a central cylindrical shaft I4.

The rear or stern of main body I0 of the tug, is tapered slightly as at I5; and if desired, sup- 3 plementary propulsion means in the form of a ring of prop eller blades I6 (Figs. 9 and 10), may be secured to the device at this point. For reasons of structural eciency, it may be desirable to terminate I in a cylindrical surface as at I'I, when this expedient is resorted to.

Guide vanes I8 are provided in the entrance section of the tug for the purpose of directing the flow of water, but do not materially assist in the acceleration thereof except during wave surges.

Helicoidal partitions I3 are of uniform radius and curvature and unite hollow shaft I4 with barrel I0. Said curvature is sufficient to move the water at a rate fast enough to cause a slightly lowered water surface within the barrel as compared to that outside. The length of the barrel and the positioning of the partitions are such that when a slug of water is received intoY one of the spiral channels, said water is completely closed off in the rear by the rising helicoidal surface behind it, by the time the forward wall of the water reaches the end of the uniform section of IIJ. Beyond this point the available cross-section within each spiral channel is decreased by inner shell I2, and to avoid impeding the acceleration of flow of water to the rear at this point, the` helical angle of elements I3 is then slightly reduced. The revolving helical surfaces impart a slight increase in water surface behind the water entering said reduced section, which, in turn, creates the necessary acceleration to move the Water.

Attention is now directed to the motor unit used in the propulsion ofthe instant tug (Figs. 1l, 12 and 13), this consisting of a car I9 of massive design and construction, housed within which is one or more electric motors 20, upon the drive shafts 2I of which are xedly mounted pinion gears 22, which mesh with gears 23 xedly mounted upon shafts 24, which also carry re.- duction gears 25, which in turn operate on geared track 26. f

Beneath the bottom of I9 is disposed a plurality of beveled or rimmed wheels 21 operating` in conjunction with axles 28, on tracks 29;Vv

In view of the turbulence encountered at sea, and the fact that the motor unit will operate at a fairly steep angle, a tendency to rise from the rails will at'times occur. Therefore, overhead tracks 30 are provided, against which rollers 3l will bear in the event of 'a slight lifting of the carriage.

Electric power is provided for motors through ring conductors 32, positioned above the motor unit, through contact with sliding trolleys or brushes 33, connecting with which are wires 34 which carry current to said motors. Power is carried to ring conductors 32, from outside'the tug in a manner that will be described in detail hereafter. Suitable electric insulation 35 is provided between elements 32 and the interior o'f barrel-like member Ill, and additional insulation 36 is preferably placed in the top of I9' at the point where wires 34 pass therethrough.

An operators compartment 31 is provided adjacent I9 and may be formed integral therewith, but of lesser weight than the motor unit'itself, which in order to perform its allotted function must weigh many tons.

Access to the motor compartment, which represents the annular space between I0 and I2 in which the motor unit operates, isby means of .an access shaft 38 (Figs. 6, 7 and 8), formed in each of the three partitions adjacent Vthe end of-.helicoidal member I3, entrance being by way of hatch 39 in the partition most accessible at a given time, then through central shaft I4, and down another shaft 38 to the motor compartment.

In view of the manner in which subject tug operates with reference to both front and rear towing cables, rotating contacts are necessary at these points, with adequate strength, and articulated connections to permit bothlateral and vertical movements relative .to the cables. ISuch a towing connection assembly is illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15 of the drawings, this arrangement including a weighted lever arm 40 for the purpose of providing stability and preventing cable 4I from becoming twisted because of friction causing bearings and seals in the assembly to become frozen, or partially frozen.

The tapered end of the central shaft assembly 42 is threaded to receive a bearing support ring 43, and conduit housing 44 is secured to ring member 45 through bolts 46. Bearings 41 permit the free rotation vof the conduit housing on' the central shaft, disposed within which shaft is a series of brushes 48 which operate in conjunc-A tion with a plurality of rings 49, each of which is connected to a corresponding conducto-r leading to the interior of the tug. Electric power and control lines 50, whichare suspended from cable 4I, and which originate on auxiliary tug 5I, bring electric current to brushes 48, for purposes of transmitting electric power, telegraphic or tele# phonic communication or electric impulses -for actuation of relay switches.

A pair of arms 52 are formed integral with and extend forwardly from 44, said arms having' circular apertures 53 in the ends thereof 'for the purpose of connection to similar eye-like apertures 54 in the forked ends 55 of connecting element 55, bolt-like members 51 being passed through the aligned apertures and secured atA their ends as by pins 58, in order to hold 5G firmly in place, yet permit vertical movement at this point. Said element 55 is in turn provided with a central aperture 59, which engages the apertured end 69 of tow cable 4I and is secured thereto by means of a bolt 6I and nut 62.

A rear towing assembly 63 is provided for the purpose of receiving a cable 64, which is in turn attached to the object being towed, said assembly being substantially identical to that used at the front end as described above, except that it is of much stronger construction. Electric and telegraph conduits' will probably not be necessary in this assembly, as is likewisethe case of positive air pressure on the interior; and the weighted arm 65 slopes toward the rear.

Air for ventilation of the tug-is brought into a trapped oating intake or schnrkel 66 which connects with an air tube 6'! having a rotating and severable connection as at 68, from which a main tube 69 carries air through'central shaft I4 to the motor compartment; and such other places on the tug as may be desired. The air return is brought to a pump V'l0 (Fig. 14) which is mounted on a partition II formed across central shaft I4, immediately behind the towing connection assembly. Air pumped into the chamber thusA formed builds up internal pressure and thereby reduces the likelihood of water leakage into the shaft. Said air is discharged by apressure release 'valve 'I2 operatingY in conjunction with a spring 'I3 when the hydrostatic head is exceeded by the air pressure.

Alternately, there may be provided a'lsupplemental Ventilating meansby which airis'VY exaccesso() hausted at low pressure through another schnrkel at the rear of the tug.

Since the cylindroid tug is difcult to steer and susceptible to wind, andk is dependent upon an outside source of electric power, it is preceded by auxiliary tug 5|. The auxiliary-carries fuel, navigation and service facilities, and crew, and a large electric generator.

The operation of the cylindroid tug is as follows:

The tug is propelled by its own rotation, this being achieved through motors operating in conjunction with gear reduction train 22, 23, 2'; and geared track 26, in such a manner as to cause the motor unit to move upwardly in the annular motor compartment, which action progresses to a point where the weight of the unit causes the entire barrel to rotate while said unit remains ina relatively fixed position within the compartment until the power is out off, upon which it will coast downwardly to the lowermost point in the annular channel.

When rotation takes place, water enters the flared entrance Il of the barrel i9 in an undisturbed state, is accelerated within the barrel by means of the helicoidal elements I3 operating in conjunction with central shaft I4, and the interior of l0, and discharged to the rear at the desired velocity, this in turn causing the tug to move slowly but powerfully through the surrounding water.

Due to the relatively low discharge velocities present as compared to conventional propellerdriven tugs, the instant device greatly reduces the inherent power loss arising from the kinetic energy of water when such is released to the rear of a vessel. Further, subject design results in virtually no turbulence at the entrance or discharge ends of the tug, which further augments the over-all eiciency thereof, with particular reference to economy in power or fuel consumption.

The power unit can be electric as shown and described herein, or can be atomic when that possibility is fully developed; or it can be diesel, in which event larger air intake facilities are required, and the motor unit made much larger. Fuel tanks are provided; and arrangements made for the introduction of fresh air, as well as the discharge of exhaust gases.

Various changes, modifications, rearrangements and reconstructions of the structure and component parts of the instant tug suggest themselves without departing from the basic inventive concepts herein, which have as their object the provision of a tug adapted to tow heavy and bulky loads long distances in open water.

I claim:

l. In a device of the character described, in combination, an elongated barrel-like member of circular cross-section, a flared entrance section joined thereto, guide vanes positioned in said entrance section, an inner shell of lesser radius than the barrel joined to the rear thereof, said rear portion being slightly tapered to form a conical section, a hollow central shaft disposed within said sections, screw-shaped partitions of generally helicoidal form uniting said shaft with the interior of said barrel and inner shell, the angles of said helicoidal surfaces being so proportioned to the radii and length of the barrel and shell as to impart acceleration to water therein when the assembly is rotated, thus driving the device forward; and means to rotate the assembly, said means including a weighted internal motor unit geared to the interior of the barrel.

` 2. In a device of the character described, in combination, an elongated barrel-like member of circular cross-section, a flared entrance section joined thereto, guide vanes positioned in said entrance section, an inner shell of lesser radius than the barrel joined to the rear thereof, said rear portion being slightly tapered to form a conical section, aplurality of propeller blades mounted adjacent said conical surface, a hollow central shaft disposed within said sections, screw-shaped partitions of generally helicoidal form uniting said shaft with the interior of said barrel and inner shell, the angles of said helicoidal surfaces being so proportioned to the radii and length of the Ybarrel and shell as to impart acceleration to water therein when the assembly is rotated, thus driving the device forward; and means to rotate the assembly, said means including a weighted internal motor unit rgeared to the interior of the barrel.

3. In a device of the character described, in combination, a buoyant elongated barrel-like member of circular cross-section, an inner shell of lesser radius than the barrel joined to the rear thereof, said rear portion being slightly tapered to form a conical section, a hollow central shaft disposed within said sections, screw-shaped partitions of generally helicoidal form uniting said shaft with the interior of said barrel and inner shell, the angles of said helicoidal surfaces being so proportioned to the radii and length of the shell as to impa-rt acceleration to water therein when the assembly is rotated, thus driving the device forward; and means to rotate said assembly, said means including a weighted internal motor unit geared to the interior of the barrel.

4. In a device of the character described, in combination, a barrel-like member of circular cross-section, a flared entrance section joined thereto, an inner shell of lesser radius than the barrell positioned in the rear thereof, said rear portion being slightly tapered to form a conical section, a hollow central shaft disposed within said sections, a towing connection assembly mounted on the forward end of said shaft, said assembly including a bearing support ring, bearings secured therein, a conduit housing mounted on the ring, a plurality of arms extending from said housing, and a tow line connecting element secured to said arms in such a manner as to permit vertical or lateral movement of the line with reference to the connection; screw-shaped partitions of generally helicoidal form uniting said hollow shaft with the interior of said barrel and inner shell, the angles of said helicoidal surfaces being so proportioned to the radii and length of the barrel and shell as to impart acceleration to water therein when the assembly is rotated,

'thus driving the device forward.

5. In a device of the character described, in combination, a barrel-like member of circular cross-section, a flared entrance section joined thereto, an inner shell of lesser radius than the barrel positioned in the rear thereof, said l'rear portion being slightly tapered to form a conical section, a hollow central shaft disposed within said sections, a towing connection assembly mounted on the forward end of said shaft, said assembly including a bearing support ring, bearings secured therein, a conduit housing mounted on the ring, a plurality of brushes within the conduit, a series of rings operating in conjunction therewith, electrical conductor lines leading from the outside of said brushes, a plurality of arms extending from said housing, and a tow line connecting element secured to said arms in such a manner as to permit vertical or lateral movement of the line with reference to the connection; screw-shaped partitions of generally helicoidal form uniting said hollow shaft with the interior of said barrel and inner shell, the angles of said helicoidal surfaces being so proportioned to the radii and length of the barrel and shell as to impart acceleration to water therein when the assembly is rotated, thus driving the device for- Ward.

6. In a device of the character described, in combination, a barrel-like member of circular cross-section, an inner shell of lesser radius than the barrel joined to the rear thereof, a hollow central shaft disposed within said sections, a rotatable towing connection assembly secured to the front of said shaft, an air hose connecting with the shaft and inner shell at one end and with a floating intake at the other, a partition in the forward end of said shaft, an air return pump mounted adjacent thereto, and an air release valve near the front of said shaft; screw-shaped partitions of generally helicoidal form uniting said shaft with the interior of said barrel and inner shell, the angles of said helicoidal surfaces being so proportioned to the radii and length of the barrel and shell as to impart acceleration to water therein when the assembly is rotated; and means to rotate said barrel.

7. In a device of the character described, in combination, a barrel-like member of circular cross-section, an inner shell of lesser radius than the barrel joined to the rear thereof, a central shaft disposed within said sections, screw-shaped partitions of generally helicoidal form uniting said shaft with the interior of said barrel and inner shell, the angles of said helicoidal surfaces being so proportioned to the radii and length of the barrel and shell as to impart acceleration to water therein when the assembly is rotated; and means to rotate said barrel, said means including a car of massive construction operating in the space formed by the inner shell and end of the barrel, a geared track on the interior of said barrel to receive said car, driving means within the car and gears operatively connecting said means to the track.

8. In a device of the character described, in combination, an elongated barrel-like member of circular cross-section, a ared entrance section joined thereto, guide vanes positioned in said entrance section, an inner shell of lesser radius than the barrel joined to the rear thereof, said portion being slightly tapered at the rear to form a conical section, a hollow central chamber disposed within said sections, screw-shaped partitions of generally helicoidal form uniting said chamber with the interior of said barrel and inner shell, the angles of said helicoidal surfaces being so proportioned to the radii and length of the barrel and shell as to impart acceleration to water therein when the assembly is rotated, thus driving the device forward; and means to rotate the assembly, said means including a weighted internal motor unit geared to the interior of the barrel.

9. In a device of the character described, in combination, a buoyant elongated barrel-like member of circular cross-section, a flared entrance section joined thereto, guide vanes positioned in said entrance section, an inner shell of lesser radius than the barrel joined to the interior thereof, a hollow central chamber disposed within said sections, screw-shaped partitions of generally helicoidal form uniting said chamber with the interior of said barrel and inner shell, the angles of said helicoidal surfaces being so proportioned to the radii and length of the barrel and shell as to impart acceleration to water therein when the assembly is rotated, thus driving the device forward; and means to rotate the assembly, said means including a weighted internal motor unit geared to the interior of the barrel.

l0. In a device of the character described, in combination, an elongated barrel-like member of circular cross-section, a ilared entrance section joined thereto, guide vanes positioned within said barrel, an inner shell of lesser radius than the barrel joined to the rear thereof, said rear portion being slightly tapered to form a conical section, a hollow central chamber disposed within said sections, screw-shaped partitions of generally helicoidal form uniting said chamber with the interior of said barrel and inner shell, the angles of said helicoidal surfaces being so proportioned to the radii and length of the barrel and shell as to impart acceleration to water therein when the assembly is rotated, thus driving the device forward; and means to rotate said assembly, said means including a weighted internal motor unit frictionally engaging the interior of the barrel.

ll. in a device of the character described, in combination, a bouyant elongated barrel-like member of circula-r cross-section, an entrance section joined thereto, guide vanes positioned in said entrance section, an inner shell of lesser radius than the barrel, joined to the rear thereof, said rear portion being slightly tapered to form a conical section, a plurality of propeller blades mounted on the exterior of the barrel, a hollow central chamber disposed Within said sections, screw-shaped partitions of generally helicoidal form uniting said chamber with the interior of said barrel and inner shell, the angles of said helicoidal surfaces being so proportioned to the radii and length of the barrel and shell as to impart acceleration to water therein when the assembly is rotated, thus driving the device for- Ward; and means to rotate said assembly, said means including a Weighted internal motor unit geared to the interior of the barrel.

l2. In a device of the character described, in combination, an elongated barrel-like member of generally circular form, an inner shell of lesser radius than the barrel mounted therein, a central chamber disposed within said barrel, screwshaped partitions of generally helicoidal form uniting said chamber with the interior of said barrel and inner shell, the angles of said helicoidal surfaces being so proportioned to the radii and length of the barrel and shell as to impart acceleration to water therein when the assembly is rotated, thus driving the device forward; and means to rotate said assembly, said means including a weighted internal motor unit from which power is transmitted by drive wheels to the interior of the barrel.

13. In a device of the character described, in combination, an elongated barrel-like member of generally circular form, an inner shell of lesser radius than the barrel mounted therein, a central chamber disposed within said barrel, rotatable towing connection assemblies secured to the front and rear of said chamber, screw-shaped partitions of generally helicoidal form uniting said chamber with the interior of said barrel and inner shell, the angles of said helicoidal surfaces being so proportioned to the radii and length of the barrel and shell as to impart acceleration to water therein when the assembly is rotated, thus driving the device forward; and means to rotate said assembly, said means including a weighted internal motor unit from which power is transmitted by drive wheels to the interior of the barrel.

14. In a device of the character described, in combination, a barrel-like member of generally circular form, an inner shell of lesser radius than the barrel, mounted therein, a central shaft disposed within said barrel, rotatable towing connection assemblies secured to the front and rear of said shaft, screw-shaped partitions of generally helicoidal form uniting said shaft with the interior of said barrel and inner shell, the

IO angles of said helicoidal surfaces being so prportioned to the radii and length of the barrel and shell as to impart acceleration to Water therein when the device is rotated, thus driving it forward; and means to rotate said device about its horizontal axis While in water.

WILLIAM WHIPPLE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 5,224 Montgomery Aug. 7, 1847 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 3,120 Great Britain of 1868 296,819 Italy May 27, 1932 

